America Recycles Day spotlights industry critical to environment and economy

In honor of America Recycles Day, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), applauded all individuals who make a strong effort to recycle as part of daily life, and encouraged all to learn more about recycling and the industry. ISRI, which serves as the voice of the recycling industryTM, represents more than 1,700 manufacturers and processors, brokers and industrial consumers of scrap commodities, including ferrous and nonferrous metals, paper, electronics, rubber, plastics, glass and textiles.

“Each year America Recycles Day provides us with an important reminder not only of the need to recycle, but also the positive impact the recycling industry has on the environment, energy savings, and the economy,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “ISRI and the recycling industry stand ready to serve as a catalyst to not only promote recycling at all levels, but also to work with and encourage manufacturers to design products with recycling in mind.”

According to the soon-to-be-released ISRI 2013 Scrap Yearbook, in 2012, U.S. scrap recyclers processed 135 million tons of scrap metal, paper, plastics, electronics, textiles, glass and rubber last year, creating significant energy savings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving natural resources and limiting the amount of material that would otherwise be sent to landfills. In addition to these critical environmental benefits, the scrap recycling industry also provides much-needed support to our economy and trade balance. In 2012 alone, the United States exported more than 47 million metric tons of scrap commodities valued at $27.8 billion to 160 countries around world. Here at home, independent research conducted by John Dunham & Associates confirms that the scrap recycling industry directly and indirectly supports nearly 463,000 good paying jobs while generating more than $87 billion in economic activity and $10.3 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.